But now I have extra help! Those of you who read The Brick House know the incredible eye and design talent of author, Morgan Satterfield. If you don’t read it, I suggest you stop by for a regular visit — since discovering The Brick House at least a year ago it quickly vaulted to the top of my Favorite Design Blogs list. I loved reading about Morgan’s thrifting conquests down south in California’s Inland Empire and her amazing DIY projects, including building a gorgeous slat screen and constructing a light fixture that had the design blogosphere all agog. Plus, she’s funny.
So a few weeks ago when Morgan posted a reader request for freelance design consultation I jumped at the chance to see if she had the time and interest in injecting some much needed inspiration into the floor plan and furnishings of our two front rooms: the TV room and home office. Much to my relief, she said yes! And so a collaboration was born.
Fast forward to this morning, when I woke up (at 5:45am, with a potential electrical snafu on the mind – seriously, this renovation negated the need for an alarm clock) to find an email in my inbox from Morgan, featuring Google SketchUp mock-ups of of two TV room floor plan options.
This version shows a small-ish media cabinet and floating shelves to the side of the TV to accommodate the current location of the components cables. The Womb chair is one we already own, and the sofa, coffee table, and rug are placeholders — good for scale.
Version 2 shows what it might look like if we were to move the components to a credenza under the TV.
From another point of view:
As much as we were really hoping to do something unique by having the components off to the side, I think this is ultimately a better, more balanced solution. In order to accommodate the electronics, the media cabinet has to be at least 20 inches deep, which works better in this location. Of course, this change comes pretty late in the game, and will require some electrical backtracking. Not ideal, but as far as renovations go probably pretty typical.
The piece itself is still undetermined; my hope is we can find something with an open space or two so it doesn’t look quite as heavy. Maybe something like the Grove from Room and Board?
Morgan has suggested a vintage piece, which would be great — as long as it is deep enough for our newfangled A/V equipment.
Oh – and take a look at this incredible lamp she’s suggesting:
I’ve never seen it before, but I think it’s fabulous — just the kind of statement that room needs. Apparently there is a source in SF, but I am a little nervous that it will be uber-expensive.
I think we’re on the right track and am excited to see how this design develops over the next days and weeks!
Very cool! I follow both blogs, and I’m excited to see this collaboration
The original of that lamps IS expensive, but White on White has a knock off called the Preying Mantis for $380
http://whiteonwhite.dphoto.com/#/album/b734bx/photo/3049783/
I too, follow both of you so it’s fun to see you work together!
ugh…lamp. damn typo…on closer inspection, I think she is suggesting the W on W version.
Hi,
The lamp you’re looking for is a Serge Mouille one. It’s been design in 1953 and now reedited by is wife Gin. You can find a copy of it in New York. I cant’n remember the store I say it, but it was 500$. Hope it help you.
http://www.voltexstore.com/standing-lamp-3-arms-serge-mouille-pid2697.htm?osCsid=057f46936ed9cfd0e78e8dbdf4822bcb
Yeah – it totally is the White on White version. They have a showroom in SF – so no shipping. hooray.
Much more affordable than the $7000 Mouille.
I’m so excited, this is such a fun project.
Hey guys, love The Brick House and am new to Fog Hill Modern.
I love good design am a BIG proponent of sustainable design, so when a bunch of cool looking furniture took over an empty Ave A space and the words ORGANIC MODERN popped up in the window, I had to go in. My hopes sank quickly when I realized it was a WHITE ON WHITE endeavor – being from NYC and having walked by one of their first stores frequently. Essentially, nothing was sustainable or original. The man at the shop did not seem at all shy about the shortcomings. The “organic” refers to the shapes apparently and, yes, all of the items are slightly modified knock-offs. I walked up to the “AJ floor lamp” I had long pined for and just thought, “No, no thank you.” I would no sooner want that lamp than a fake handbag bought on Canal Street.
I am not a purist – and understand economic practicalities. I was just considering a paper lantern at IKEA for $9.99 vs. a Noguchi original, but is a paper lantern more ubiquitous? Like five pocket jeans? The IKEA lamp also varied a bit more from a Noguchi. Is there a difference between intimating, imitating and down right copying?
I don’t know. The “Mouille lamp” is pretty cool – I admit.
Anyway, I promise I am not trying to be too judgy here, but this is your home… you want it to have soul right? Morgan is the master at sourcing awesome vintage stuff. Personally, I would have loved some Mouille sconces too, but I found a pair of vintage Lightoliers on ebay that I not only could love and afford, but feel good about buying. I am sure the $380 could get you a good substitute or maybe build a cool DIY-Adelman…
Dear Fog Hill Modern,
My apologies. I feel like you invited me for Thanksgiving dinner and I walked in and proclaimed that I don’t eat turkey. Sometimes it is better to just keep quiet and enjoy the stuffing.
I hope you love your new space and are very happy in it, which is all that really matters.
Best/JD
p.s. please feel free to delete these comments
Hi JD:
No apologies necessary. You expressed an important point of view; one shared by many I’m sure (including myself, to some degree!). All these decisions come with considerations other than aesthetic ones (for example, Morgan is helping me work through my totally irrational relationship to animal hide) and it’s healthy to entertain lots of perspectives.
Yes, soul is really key. We hope to achieve as much as we can at the outset by using a mix of new stuff alongside some of the furniture we already own (some of which is vintage!). I’m also looking forward to unpacking all the boxes we’ve had in storage since March, rediscovering art and knick-knacks we’ve collected and forgotten about, and finding new homes for them. Having done one remodel before, I am also aware that soul and personality also come with time, so a little patience is a good thing too.
Thanks for reading, JD!